Chandigarh, March 13, 2011:- Tremendous response to 2nd Chandigarh Marathon organized by Chandigarh Administration in collaboration with Sport 18(CNBC) today .A wonderful life time experience for thousands of National and International participants who had participated in Full Marathon (42.197 Kms), Half Marathon (21.095 Kms) for a prize money of Rs 6 lacs and Dream run of 5 Kms at Rock Garden with over 5,500 participants turning out in Marathon runs as a part of biggest tourism sports event of Chandigarh .The event saw maximum turnout in the 5 Km Dream run with residents of tricity and many more joining from other neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana .The Full Marathon was a close race amongst international elite runners James Mutua from Kenya and Patrick Kamau from Ethiopia. Finally winning top honour of Fulll marathon being picked up by Kenyan James Mutua with best timing of 2 hrs 17 min and 22 seconds(2:17:22). The second place was taken by international Ethiopian runner Patrick Kamau with timing (2:19:57). Arvind Yadav (2:20:55) was declared the best Indian runner in Full Marathon.
Another Indian runner Elam Singh was the winner of Half Marathon (1:04:35). who could take a lead of just 8 seconds more than the second place international runner Lidtu Tekelu (1:04:43). Eighteen National and International participants in Full and Half Marathon took prize money of Rs. 6 lacs.
Ace international boxer Vijender Singh flagged off the Elite Full Marathon of 42.197 kms at 5.45 am. Jeev Milkha Singh flagged off the Half Marathon run of 21.095 Kms at 6.00 am whereas the only Olympian gold medalist shooter of India, Abhinav Bindra flagged off the Dream run of 5 Kms at 9.00 am. Ex-India cricketer Dinesh Mongia was also present on the occasion.
Bhagwati( 3:08:10) and Vaheeda(3:19:35) Khan won the first and second prize in category of Full Marathon of 42kms and bettered their performance in their marathon participation in Mumbai and Mawana Marathon.It was a life time wonderful experience for National and International participants to run on boulevard roads in pollution free environment and at the Lake promenade in scenic environs with supportive cheering crowd all along the race track.
Sh.Pradip Mehra Adviser to the Administrator UT was the Chief Guest of the Prize distribution ceremony of 2nd Chandigarh Marathon. Sh.Ram Niwas Home Secretary Chandigarh, Finance Secretary Chandigarh Sh.V.K Singh and senior officers of Chandigarh Administration were present along with Sh.Ashok Nayar, Managing Director of State Bank of Patiala and Sh.R.K Arora General Manager Indian Oil Corporation.
Chandigarh Marathon also had some eye-catching entertaining performances from local singers and dance troupes along with Indian Idol contestant Sheena Chawla. Both the groups played to a live gathering and regaled the audience with their foot-tapping performances. Olympic medallists Abhinav Bindra, Vijender Singh, ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh and ex-India cricketer Dinesh Mongia were also present on the occasion.